Red Sox' Thornburg is cautiously optimistic

Monday

Mar 5, 2018 at 6:47 PM

The right-handed reliever, who missed all of last season with thoracic outlet syndrome, has not had any setbacks thus far in spring training.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tyler Thornburg’s start with the Red Sox hasn’t exactly gone as expected when president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acquired the right-handed reliever prior to the 2017 season, being sidelined for the year after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome.

As frustrating as the situation as been, Thornburg understands there’s not much he could’ve done to prevent what happened. Which doesn’t necessarily help alleviate the situation, he’s continuing to learn about his body through spring training.

“I don’t think there was really too much I could change with that,” Thornburg said on Monday. “I think for the most part I’m going to find out things this offseason to do for upcoming spring training. Find out how my arm’s going to bounce back in spring training. How many outings, how many bullpens, how (my arm is) going to feel. Because I’m sure it’s going to be a heck of a lot different than it was bouncing back before.”

Thornburg has thrown off the mound, gaining strength as he throws more. He expressed how he has not “had any setbacks to this point and I hope to keep it that way,” knocking on wood as he said it.

But this is a foreign experience for Thornburg. Not just the uniqueness of the injury, but rehabbing while also having to prove himself to the coaching staff. It’s helped already having a relationship with the returnees from last year’s roster, but other than Red Sox bench coach Ron Roenicke, who managed Thornburg in Milwaukee from 2012 through the first 25 games of 2015, it's a whole new crew.

“No because they’re a new staff for everybody,” Thornburg said. “But they’ve been great. (Manager) Alex (Cora) has been awesome. I talked to him when I went up to Boston for a couple of checks during the rehab stages. Just talked to him a little bit, got to know him a little bit earlier than just getting down here and meeting him.

“It’s been pretty easy as far as the coaches and changes. They’ve been great so far. It really is (a big help). Having good coaches who you’re comfortable talking with and understand what you’re going through is pretty huge.”

Which has allowed Thornburg to pace himself throughout the process, ensuring he’ll be healthy for the long haul. Instead of rushing to get back to earn a role in the bullpen, he’s able to let the process run its course. With the hope he’ll avoid further problems down the road.

“You obviously want to impress always,” he said. “But coming in this year, I know that I’m not going to be able to give it too much right at the beginning just because it’s part of the rehab process. So it’s not like I’m trying to come right out of the shoot going or anything. Just making it through spring training and not feeling like you have to do too much or go out of your way to show people why you’re here and all that kind of stuff.”

When he does return, Thornburg could become the eighth inning set-up man. That’s what he was advertised as when Boston traded for him. With Carson Smith seeing game action and other options like Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes available for the eighth or seventh innings, Thornburg doesn’t know exactly what his role will look like once he’s available.

“I don’t think anybody really knows that exact point I’m going to be back,” he said. “If I come back a couple of weeks into the season, or whatever it may be, honestly I don’t think there’s really any telling, ‘hey, you’re going to be throwing the eighth inning,’ or ‘hey you’re going to be in this role at first.’

“If some guys are throwing good, then I expect them to be one of those late-inning guys at the beginning. But I mean I’m confident, I know who I am. I know where I’m going to be when I’m healthy. Not really worried about that right now.”

Whatever that role ends up being, Thornburg’s comfortable with it. As much as he’d prefer to throw in the late, high-leverage situations, he seems comfortable with the inning Cora decides to use him.

“No not really. I doubt I’ll be a multiple-inning guy right now. But I also know why I was brought over here and I know that I’m going to be that guy or better this year. I know when I’m healthy where I’m going to be and how I can help this team. Whatever role that’s in, I’m expecting to put up zeroes in those innings.

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